Statoil and Statkraft have decided to start building the
Dudgeon
Offshore Wind Farm off the coast of Norfolk,
UK. The project aims for full production in late 2017.
When completed, Dudgeon will provide renewable energy for
ca 410,000 households in the UK. The Dudgeon development will now move
into a new phase, starting with construction of onshore cables and an onshore
substation. Offshore construction work will start in 2016.
Statoil's senior vice president for the renewable energy
cluster, Siri Espedal Kindem, says:"With today's investment decision,
we have once again proven Statoil's ability to create value within the
offshore wind business by utilizing 40 years of leading competence and
experience from complex oil and gas industry projects. This is in line
with our commercial and stepwise approach to renewable energy development."
The total investment in Dudgeon
Offshore wind farm is estimated to be £1.5 billion
(NOK 15 billion).The Dudgeon owners are preparing for a partnership structure
reflecting this investment level.
"We are very satisfied to have reached a positive
decision for Dudgeon. This strengthens and confirms Statoil's strategic
ambition of gradual and profitable growth as an industrial offshore wind
player. Dudgeon represents a strong partnership with broad experience and
expertise within the energy sector and offshore wind", says chairman
of the Dudgeon board, Halfdan Brustad, and adds:
"We believe this project could further strengthen our position in
the UK, benefiting from the positive and constructive dialogue already
established with UK authorities, local communities and suppliers. Building
on the Sheringham Shoal experience, we now look forward to a progressive
dialogue with key stakeholders such as the Norfolk public community, the
local supply chain and the authorities".
Combining Statoil's offshore competence with Statkraft's
experience from large renewable energy projects will generate value for
owners, suppliers and UK industry as a whole.
The Dudgeon investment could provide benefits for the UK's
offshore wind industry. At least 70 local jobs will be created directly
in the operations phase and additional jobs during construction and indirectly
in the supply chain.
Head of project development and construction for offshore
wind in Statkraft, Ole Johan Lindaas, says: "Statkraft is very pleased
with the
Dudgeon project entering the construction phase
where the project will install large, innovative wind turbines. Technology
development is a key to the future of offshore wind and the long-term players
in the industry, and contributes to bringing down the costs of offshore
wind projects."
Energy Minister Michael Fallon said:
"Today's decision underlines the success of our new contracts and
will bring about a steady stream of investment in renewable electricity."
"As the best place in the world to invest in offshore wind, the UK
is attracting millions of pounds of investment, supporting hundreds of
local green jobs and strengthening its energy supply with home-grown sources.
We have already attracted £34 billion of private sector investment in renewable
electricity since 2010, with the potential to create almost 37,000 jobs
in the UK."
Statoil is the operator of the Dudgeon
Offshore Wind Project and will lead the project
towards production, followed by operations and first electricity to grid
during the first half of 2017.
